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An improvement over their last attempt, the Senate Democrats’ press conference Monday to scold the majority GOP for dragging its feet in nonpartisan redistricting included explanations of their about a half-dozen Democratic proposals for reform — ranging from the creation of a unitary governmental ethics commission to a measure seeking full(er) financial disclosures, public financing of elections and restrictions on the use of campaign funds.

Minority Leader John Sampson said the legislation represented a chance for state government to recognize that it was keeping faith with citizens’ desire for clean and effective politics, and noted that most of the GOP majority signed on to Ed Koch’s pledge to get on board with nonpartisan redistricting and comprehensive ethics reform.

“Why don’t people trust us, and how can we fix this? … For years, the problem with Albany has not been what is illegal, but rather what is legal,” said Sampson.

Sampson, of course, led the chamber for 18 months: Many of the ethics measures outlined today are more robust than the ethics bill passed by the Democratic majority — and subsequently vetoed by Gov. David Paterson as woefully insufficient. And after the Inspector General’s investigation of the Aqueduct bidding process, Sampson should have a greater sense of some of the things that might (or might not) be legal but nonetheless aren’t proper.

Prohibits business entities that have been awarded a state contract or are seeking or attempting to renew such contracts from directly or indirectly making expenditures in support of or in opposition to any political organization or candidate, or for other political purposes.

The prohibition would be effective from the date such contract is awarded or renewed until one year following the date such contract is completed, cancelled or terminated, with a violation possibly resulting in the cancellation or termination of the contract.

Does “business entities” include, for example, CSEA? “It’s going to be open for interpretation,” said Addabbo. ” … I don’t think we need to put down what the specific entities were. If the intent of the bill is to stop pay-to-play, then let’s leave it as broad as we can to encompass those with contracts with the state.”

Increases disclosure requirements on public officials, legislative employees, and candidates for office by requiring that attorney and other professional clients be disclosed (unless it would violate a privilege or create an unreasonable hardship).

Creates several new categories of value for reporting income (expanding the number of categories from 6-15) and requires legislators and legislative employees to report business dealings with lobbyists.

Who would determine whether or not a privilege was being violated or a hardship imposed? “It’s unclear at this point,” said Rivera.

Courtesy Kyle Hughes of NYSNYS, here’s video of the Q&A that followed the discussion of the various bills; it’s followed by the Democrats’ press release, including more details of the legislation:

With the Senate GOP leadership quickly backing away from pre-election promises of reform, Senate Democrats called on the Republican Majority to join them in passing a comprehensive ethics, campaign finance, and independent redistricting reform package that will finally deliver the change Albany needs and taxpayers deserve.

Prior to the elections, 54 senators from both sides of the aisle pledged to change Albany. However, recent reports indicate that the 32 Republicans, including their leadership, who campaigned as “heroes of reform” are backing off their promise to voters and stonewalling progress on an ethics reform package. To renew the people’s call for reform, Senate Democrats unveiled a sweeping reform package and urged immediate action on one of Governor Cuomo’s top priorities for the new session.

Implement a clean elections system for public financing (S.2740/Smith).

Create an independent redistricting commission (S.2543/Gianaris).

These reforms will change the way Albany does business – bringing transparency and accountability to a government that has shielded itself from public scrutiny, reducing the influence of money on elections, and allowing people to decide elections, not politicians

Senate Democratic Leader John L. Sampson said, “With our state at a crossroads, our next step must finally bring us to the reform the public expects and Albany needs. Passing comprehensive ethics, campaign finance, and independent redistricting reform will tear down the walls of dysfunction and build a state government more accountable and responsive to the needs of the people. By changing the flawed ways of the past, New Yorkers can once again trust their leaders enough to follow them toward a brighter future.”

Senator Daniel Squadron (D-Brooklyn/Manhattan) said, “For Albany to do the people’s business, we must change the way Albany does business. More than a month into the legislative session, we have yet to enact the fundamental reforms that almost every sitting Senator has pledged to support. Passing ethics, campaign finance and redistricting reform will lend much-needed transparency and accountability to our state government, helping restore New Yorkers’ trust in their elected representatives and allowing us all to better tackle the dire challenges facing our state.”

Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) said, “Governor Cuomo has made it clear that it’s high time Albany cracks down on the power of special interests and my legislation unveiling the relationships between lawmakers and lobbyists will do just that. Lobbyists sole job is to persuade legislators and influence legislation, so it only makes sense that we should monitor their campaign contributions and professional relationships with public officials. A lot of money is funneled into campaigns and the public should know where it comes from and how it is spent. Once a campaign is over, there’s no reason that campaign funds should suddenly become the personal piggy-bank for the candidate. That money was raised and donated for the very specific purpose of winning an election and it should only be used to achieve that objective.”

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo (D-Queens) said, “I introduced the S.1565 section of this bill to amend the state finance law to prohibit ‘pay to play,’ which forbids political contributions by businesses that have been awarded state contracts. Passing this legislation and putting elections back in the hands of voters will not only create a more competitive electoral environment, but produce better representatives for all New Yorkers.”

Senator Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) said, “It’s no surprise that New Yorkers have a lack of confidence in government – in their elected officials. Common-sense legislation has been bogged down for decades because of partisan politics and special interests — and for too long, money has had a louder voice than the people of the state from Buffalo, to the Bronx and out to Brookhaven. We must restore the people’s trust in their elected officials. That is why the first bill I introduced in the Senate focuses on ethics reform. That is why I am calling on my colleagues to follow through with their promise to pass ethics reform and start to clean up Albany.”

Senator Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) said, “Our state government is in desperate need of reform. For too long, the people of New York have been shut out by unaccountable representation. The enactment of the reforms we embrace today will send a strong message that we hear the calls of a public restless for change and are ready to rise to the occasion.”

Senate Democratic Deputy Leader Neil D. Breslin said, “Passing comprehensive campaign finance, ethics and independent redistricting reform will help make our state government more accountable, while at the same time help to restore the people’s faith in our ability to effectively respond during these challenging times. There is a clear public mandate to reform government and now is the time to deliver the change that Albany needs.”

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35th District-D/WF/I) said, “This ethics package will go a long way in restoring the public’s faith in State government. It calls for an independent redistricting commission, requires legislators to disclose their outside incomes and improves transparency in campaign financing, which are all significant reforms to the way we do business in Albany. We owe it to the public to pass this ethics package so that New Yorkers have a government that they are proud of.”

Senator José Peralta (D-Queens) said, “There has been no shortage of talk about reform. Talk is cheap. It’s time to deliver on the pledge that we made to voters to fix Albany.”

Senator José M. Serrano (D-Bronx/Manhattan) said, “It’s clear that Albany needs to change the way it conducts business, and now is the time to step forward to build a state government that is more accountable. By strengthening our ethics laws, improving the campaign finance system, and implementing an independent redistricting process, we can begin to build a state government that is more open and transparent. My colleagues from both sides of the aisle signed Mayor Koch’s pledge to clean up Albany and I believe we should work together to keep our promises by passing these comprehensive reform measures.”

Senator Timothy M. Kennedy (D-Western New York) said, “Over the past decade, more Albany politicians have resigned amid scandal than have lost general elections. Flawed ethics have disgraced our capitol and embarrassed all New Yorkers. That’s why we need to act swiftly on this package of reform bills. We must end Albany’s culture of corruption and dysfunction and build a government that is responsive and accountable to the hardworking men and women that we represent.”

Creation of Commission on Governmental Ethics (S.31/ Squadron):

· Creates a unitary Commission on Governmental Ethics, for comprehensive, consistent, and independent ethics oversight and enforcement for the legislative and executive branches, and persons and entities doing business with the State.

· The Commission would consist of nine members (not allowed to be state or federal lobbyists or be employed by political consulting firms, or the recipient of a state contract), three of whom are chosen by the governor and one each chosen upon the recommendation of the comptroller, attorney general, and the four legislative conference leaders. The executive director is chosen jointly by the Chair and Vice-Chair (who cannot be of the same party) to serve a five-year term and not more than two consecutive terms.

· The Commission has subpoena power and other necessary powers; examination of witnesses shall be private unless otherwise directed by a majority of the Commission; and the outcome and determinations of proceedings, and settlements, shall be made public.

Comprehensive Financial and Client Disclosure (S.382/ Rivera):

· Increases disclosure requirements on public officials, legislative employees, and candidates for office by requiring that attorney and other professional clients be disclosed (unless it would violate a privilege or create an unreasonable hardship).

· Creates several new categories of value for reporting income (expanding the number of categories from 6-15) and requires legislators and legislative employees to report business dealings with lobbyists.

Eliminating Pay to Play (S.1565/ Addabbo):

· Prohibits business entities that have been awarded a state contract or are seeking or attempting to renew such contracts from directly or indirectly making expenditures in support of or in opposition to any political organization or candidate, or for other political purposes.

· The prohibition would be effective from the date such contract is awarded or renewed until one year following the date such contract is completed, cancelled or terminated, with a violation possibly resulting in the cancellation or termination of the contract.

Reporting Requirements for Lobbyists, Disposition of Campaign Funds and Personal Use of Campaign Funds (S.3053/ Krueger):

· Requires lobbyists to report campaign contributions; professional relationships with public officials; and business relationships with public officials and relatives of public officials to whom a lobbyist employer has paid compensation of more than $500 in the preceding calendar year for personal employment or professional services.

· More clearly delineates how candidates for elected office can and cannot use their campaign funds; restricts use of campaign funds for personal expenses; requires candidates and elected officials to dispose of all campaign funds within four years after the end of his or her term or the date of the election for which the individual was last a candidate by returning them to donors, donating them to the state, to SUNY, or to another candidate or political committee; and prohibits the solicitation or receipt of contributions for campaigns for state or federal office by senior policy makers in the executive branch.

· Creates an independent Office of Campaign Finance Enforcement within the state Board of Elections, responsible for policing the public financing system to ensure all candidates are complying with the law.

· Provides for voluntary clean money public financing of state campaigns where candidates who meet the requirements of a qualifications process based on a designated number of small contributions receive public funds subject to strict controls on personal use and recordkeeping requirements to ensure proper use. There will be no costs in 2011- 2013 and beginning in 2014, total implementation costs if every state elected official were to opt in, would be approximately $32 million.

Independent Redistricting Commission (S. 2543/ Gianaris):

· Establishes an independent citizen apportionment commission to propose and submit to the Legislature for approval district boundaries for congressional and state legislative districts every 10 years following the U.S. Census. Commission members could not currently hold or, in the past two years, have held elective or public office, been a lobbyist, been in a position within a political party, or be a relative or spouse of an elected or public official.

The district lines would be drawn to be compact, nearly as equal in population as practicable, and contiguous; not abridge or deny minority voting rights, favor or oppose any political party incumbent or candidate; and align with local boundaries and community character to ensure the even-handed and non-partisan drawing of lines.

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